Turkish Intel Chief Welcomes U.S.-Iran Ceasefire but Warns of Israel’s Threat to Lebanon

Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin cautiously welcomed the landmark ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran on Monday, while warning that the most grueling diplomatic battles still lie ahead.

The director of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) praised the breakthrough that promises to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, yet stressed that the impending negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program would fiercely test the durability of the truce.

A Cautious Welcome

“The news of an agreement between the United States and Iran last night was welcomed by all of us,” Kalin said. “But we are in a state of cautious waiting.”

He noted that the upcoming 60-day window would be an exceptionally difficult process, as the core issues are finally brought to the table.

Kalin also congratulated the mediating nations, explicitly praising Pakistan and Qatar for their resolve, and expressed hope that the deal would serve as a crucial step toward building permanent peace in the Middle East.

Back-Channel Diplomacy

The diplomatic breakthrough follows a chaotic 100-day conflict that triggered a global energy crisis. U.S. President Donald Trump celebrated the finalization of the memorandum of understanding on Sunday night, urging global shipping to resume operations.

An official signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 19th, in Geneva, Switzerland.

While Islamabad and Doha led the public mediation, Türkiye played a vital, quiet role behind the scenes. Throughout the crisis, MIT coordinated with intelligence agencies from more than 13 countries, facilitating back-channel messaging and managing humanitarian evacuations.

Terms of the Truce

The agreement's immediate terms offer global relief. Hostilities are to cease on all fronts.

Iran will clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz and allow toll-free commercial transit, while the U.S. will lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports within a 30-day window.

In exchange, Tehran is expected to receive phased sanctions relief, including oil export waivers and the unfreezing of an estimated $12bn to $24bn in overseas assets.

The Nuclear Dilemma

However, the nuclear dilemma remains largely unresolved.

Tehran has committed to maintaining the status quo—halting further enrichment and facility expansion—and reaffirmed it will not seek nuclear weapons.

The thorny logistics of handling Iran's 9,000kg stockpile of enriched uranium have been deferred to the 60-day negotiation phase. This deferred showdown is the root of Kalin’s “cautious wait.”

Israel’s Defiance in Lebanon

Further complicating the fragile peace is Israel's stark defiance. The U.S.-Iran pact demands an immediate end to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. But Israel is not a party to the agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly informed Washington that the Lebanon clauses do not bind his government.

Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced this hardline stance, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from southern Lebanon and will maintain full operational freedom against Hezbollah.

For Türkiye, the deal represents a critical diplomatic de-escalation that immediately benefits global energy markets and regional trade.

Yet, with Israel intent on securing its northern border and the U.S. and Iran gearing up for a tense nuclear standoff, Ankara recognizes that the current agreement is merely a pause, not a definitive end, to the region's broader crisis.